New York woman accused of faking cancer, using donations to buy heroin

Businesses raised money for Brittany Ozarowski

2:16 PM, Apr 22, 2013

2:17 PM, Apr 22, 2013

Brittany Ozarowski

Copyright Associated Press

MILLER PLACE, N.Y. - Authorities say they have received dozens of calls from people who may have been victimized by an alleged cancer charity scam on New York's Long Island.

Prosecutors say a 21-year-old woman distributed donation jars at restaurants and stores in more than two dozen places. They say Brittany Ozarowski pocketed the cash and used the money to fund a heroin addiction.

Some businesses in Miller Place organized fundraisers for the young woman. One at a local Moose lodge netted $7,200.

People became suspicious when the young woman allegedly explained she didn't lose her hair to chemotherapy because she was taking "special vitamins." Others said they wondered when she didn't show up for free doctor's appointments they had made for her.

The investigation into the scheme is ongoing.

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